C H A R T E R

 of the National Association of City  Municipalities of Azerbaijan

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. 1. The National Association of Azerbaijan City Municipalities (hereinafter - the Association) is an alliance formed with the goal of better coordinating the activities of the municipalities operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan's urban administrative territorial unities, assisting them, and realizing their rights and interests more effectively.
   2. The Association conducts its activities on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, international agreements to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Status of Municipalities", other legislative acts and this Charter.
   3. The association's operations are guided by the values of voluntarism, member equality in rights, the rule of law, collegiality in decision-making, democratic management, and transparency.
   4. The association is a legal entity.
   5. The association has a seal with its name on it, as well as letterheads in a prescribed pattern.
   6. Full official name of the association: National Association of Azerbaijan City Municipalities.
   7. Abbreviated name of the association: NAACM.
   8. The central office of the association is located at 251A Dilara Aliyeva Street, Baku.

2. OBJECTİVES AND DUTIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The main goal of the association is to coordinate the activities of municipalities, to establish that activity in accordance with international legal norms and existing legislation and to achieve the strengthening and development of local self-government in the Republic of Azerbaijan by helping to solve the emerging problems together.
   2. In order to achieve the goals, the Association performs the following tasks:

- to strive for the adoption of new legislative acts and the improvement of existing legislation for the effective regulation of the activities of municipalities. To develop projects and proposals with the aim of creating a favorable environment for the development of municipalities;

- to carry out events and represent municipalities in international organizations in order to ensure mutually beneficial cooperation with local executive authorities, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and local self-government bodies of foreign countries, their associations and international organizations dealing with local self-government issues;

- to promote the values represented in the European Charter on Local Self-Government and to spread information relating to the municipality's status and operations.

- to carry out educational activities related to the role of municipalities in the socio-economic development of cities, in strengthening the social protection of people, in preserving the regional and local ecological balance;

- to assist municipalities in the development and implementation of relevant programs, concepts and measures in order to identify and eliminate existing problems in cities;

- to provide methodical and practical assistance to municipalities in the preparation of socio-economic development, ecological and other programs of cities and participate in the implementation of those programs;

- to ensure the joint activity of municipalities in the field of health and environmental protection;

- to ensure the joint activities of municipalities related to the preservation of cultural assets in cities, and assistance in the development of culture and art;

- to carry out propaganda work to increase the authority of municipalities in the society, expand their field of activity, involve wide segments of the population to participate in these processes;

- to support municipalities in the field of methodical, legal, technological, and informational needs, as well as with the legal establishing of their activities;

- to ensure the exchange of experience between municipalities and to learn and spread advanced practice;

- to provide assistance in organizing and conducting relevant studies, investigations and monitoring in order to ensure the efficient operation of municipalities;

- to assist municipalities in order to establish and develop relations with relevant local self-government bodies operating in foreign countries;

- to establish cooperative relations with international organizations;

- to carry out other tasks arising from the purpose of the association and the needs of the municipalities.

3. THE RIGHTS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The association has the following rights to carry out its duties:

- to raise issues before state bodies and municipalities regarding their goals and objectives, make inquiries, give opinions and suggestions;

- to raise issues before the relevant authorities regarding the protection of the rights of the members and employees of the municipality, to provide legal assistance;

- to freely disseminate information about one's goals, tasks and activities, to establish mass media in accordance with the legislation, to create publishing houses, polygraphy, other enterprises not prohibited by legislation, to publish booklets, books, etc.;

- to organize conferences, symposiums, forums, round tables, trainings, seminars, courses, exhibitions, charity marathons and other events serving the solution of economic, social and environmental problems of cities;

- to conduct scientific researches, researches, monitoring, sociological surveys;

- to establish prizes and scholarships;

- to create different oriented centers, departments, service areas, clubs, groups, commissions, etc.

1. 2. The Association may engage in any additional activity within its authority that is not illegal in order to accomplish its objectives.

4. ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

1. 1. The National Association of Azerbaijan City Municipalities is established at the constituent assembly at the initiative of three or more municipalities.
   2. Each municipality operating in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, accepting the Charter of the Association, paying a membership fee and defined by clause 1.1 of this Charter and the Association of City Municipalities of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic can be members of the Association. The municipality that wants to become a member of the association must have a decision on this, which was adopted at the municipal meeting. The registration of the members of the association is carried out by the Executive Secretariat and new members are notified to the General Assembly.
   3. The members of the association retain their independence and the status of a legal entity.
   4. The members of the association have the following rights:

- to select a representative to the General Assembly of the Association;

- to participate in the events of the Association;

- to make recommendations and draft decisions to the board of directors for discussion in line with the association's goals and duties, and to take part in such discussions;

- To elect and be elected to the elected bodies of the Association;

- To receive legal and organizational assistance from the association within the framework of the legislation for the protection of one's rights before state bodies in resolving issues provided for by the charter;

- To receive information about the activities of the association's bodies, to apply to these bodies with requests, proposals, applications and complaints;

- To use the services and assistance provided by the association;

- To withdraw from the membership of the association.

1. 5. The members of the association have the following duties:

- To comply with the Association Charter;

- To carry out the decisions of the governing bodies of the Association in accordance with the law and this charter;

- pay membership fees;

- to assist the activities of the association.

1. 6. A member of the Association who does not regularly perform the duties specified by this charter for no reason may be removed from the membership of the Association by the decision of the General Assembly. That decision can be appealed to the court.

5. GOVERNING BODIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The General Assembly, which meets at least once each year, is the supreme governing body of the association.
   2. Following the declaration of the official outcomes of the upcoming municipal elections held in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the General Assembly of the Association is held for a minimum of three months.
   3. An initiative group representing at least one-third of the members of the Association can raise the issue of convening an extraordinary General Assembly of the Association before the board of directors.
   4. The board of directors determines the date, time, agenda, and representation quota for the next or extraordinary general meeting at least two months before the date of the General Assembly.
   5. If the board of directors does not make a decision on convening the General Assembly within the period specified in clauses 5.2 and 5.4 of this charter, that decision is made by the initiative group representing at least one third of the members of the Association. In this case, the decision on convening the General Assembly, its time, agenda and representation quota is made at least one month before the day of the General Assembly. In case of violation of clause 5.2 of this charter, the activity of the Association is considered terminated.
   6. On the board of directors' invitation, representatives of municipalities and other institutions who are not association members may take part in the proceedings of the General Assembly as observers.
   7. The General Assembly is authorized when more than half of the representatives are present.
   8. Decisions regarding the Association's charter, making additions and changes to it, electing and dismissing the Association's governing bodies, and dissolving the Association are adopted by a two-thirds majority, whereas other decisions are adopted by a simple majority.
   9. The powers of the General Assembly are the following:

- approving the agenda of the General Assembly and working bodies;

- establishing and liquidating of the association;

- withdrawal of a member of the association from membership;

- adoption of the charter, amendments and additions to it;

- identification of the main directions of the association's activities;

- election and dismissal of the association's governing bodies - the chairman, vice-chairmen, members of the board of directors and the control-inspection commission;

- listening to the reports of the chairman of the association and the control and inspection commission and making appropriate decisions;

- determining the amount of membership fees for members of the association;

- approval of the association's budget;

- making decisions on the activities of the association.

1. 10. The term of office of the governing bodies of the Association begins with their election at the General Assembly and ends at the General Assembly specified in clause 5.2 of this charter.
   11. If the initiative to dismiss persons elected to the governing bodies of the association before the expiration of their term of office is put forward by at least one third of the members of the Association, this issue may be considered at the General Assembly.
   12. In the event of a legally binding indictment or a decision of the court on the application of compulsory measures of a medical nature against the persons elected to the governing bodies of the association; incapacity or limited capacity of activity determined by the court; leaving the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan; the acceptance of the citizenship of another state or undertakes an obligation to another state; the existence of the opinion of a special medical commission organized by the court about the impossibility of fulfilling duties due to illness for more than four months; die or to be declared dead by a court or considered missing, their activities shall be terminated by the decision of the management board if they are members of the management board, and by the decision of the control-inspection commission if they are members of the control-inspection commission. The powers of the Chairman are passed to one of the deputies until the General Assembly if the terms of this paragraph apply to the Chairman of the Association or in the event of the Chairman's resignation per the Board of Directors' decision.
   13. The Chairman of the Association presides over the General Assembly.
   14. In the period between General Assembly, the governing body of the Association is the board of directors.
   15. Members of the board are elected from among the representatives elected to the General Assembly.
   16. Members of the board of directors fulfill their powers on a public basis.
   17. The General Assembly decides the number of board members. The board of directors meeting is deemed valid if more than half of its members are present, and decisions are made by a simple majority of the board's members. The Association's chairman or one of his deputies presides over meetings of the board of directors.
   18. With the exception of matters pertaining to the sole authority of the General Assembly, the board of directors may consider and decide on any matter pertaining to Association operations.
   19. The Chairman of the Association will call meetings of the Board of Directors when necessary, but at least once every two months.
   20. The chairman of the control-inspection commission can participate in the meetings of the board of directors.
   21. The powers of the board of directors are as follows:

- ensuring the implementation of the association's duties;

- implementation of control over the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly;

- establishing the relevant commissions of the association and monitoring their activities;

- convening the next and extraordinary General Assembly, making decisions about its time, agenda, place and representation quota;

- determination of the order of work of the Executive Secretariat, approval of its structure and number composition, appointment and dismissal of the executive secretary and other responsible employees of the Executive Secretariat according to the presentation of the chairman of the Association;

- creation and liquidation of structural units, branches and representative offices, enterprises, service areas of the association, approval of their structures, number compositions, determination of work rules, control over their activities, appointment and dismissal of managers according to the presentation of the chairman of the Association;

- establishment of mass media, publishing, printing, creation of other enterprises and service areas not prohibited by legislation, release of booklets, books and other publications for the purpose of implementation of the tasks of the association;

- approval of memoranda, agreements, memorandums of understanding, documents on leasing, pledging, selling and taking out loans signed by the chairman of the association;

- approval of the association's first-year operating budget.

1. 22. The association's chairman is chosen from among the elected General Assembly delegates.
   23. The powers of the association's chairman are as follows:

- acting as the association's representative and submitting applications and executing contracts on its behalf;

- acting on behalf of the Association in relation to state bodies, legal entities, individuals;

- signing the board of directors' decisions and processes;

- organizing the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly and the management board;

- coordinating the activities of the relevant commissions of the Association;

- issuing orders and commands that are within their authority;

- approval of the cost estimates for each structural unit of the Association, its branches and representative offices, created businesses, and service regions for the upcoming fiscal year;

- management of the association's financial and economic activity.

1. 24. The association's chairman has the right to bring up calling an extraordinary general meeting of the association before the board of directors.
   25. The chairman of the organization reports to the general meeting and notifies the management board on the association's work.
   26. The vice-chairmen of the association are elected from among the representatives elected to the General Assembly.
   27. The vice-chairmen of the association exercise the powers delegated by the chairman.
   28. The chairman and vice-chairmen of the association are members of the management board.
   29. Control and inspection commission:

- oversees the Association's operations to ensure it complies with the Charter;

- monitors the association's financial and economic activity.

1. 30. The representatives elected to the General Assembly are used to select the members of the control-inspection commission.
   31. The General Assembly decides how many people will be on the control-inspection commission. When more than half of the commission's members are present for a meeting, it is deemed authorized, and decisions are taken by a simple majority of the commission.
   32. The control-inspection commission chooses the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the control-inspection commission from among its members.
   33. The members of the control-inspection commission execute their authority in public and are not permitted to serve as directors or employees of the Executive Secretariat at the same time they are exercising their authority.

6. EXECUTIVE BODY OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The executive secretariat is a permanent executive body established to provide organizational, legal, informational, financial-economical, and other assurances about the activities of the association's chairman and management board. The association's chairman is informed of the executive secretariat's daily activities and outcomes by the executive secretary.
   2. Except for those individuals named in Part 5 of Article 5.21 of the Charter, the Chairman of the Association may appoint and discharge other members of the Executive Secretariat. 

7. ASSOCIATION'S PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

1. 1. The association may own property and funds in accordance with the law. The association's property and financial resources can only be utilized to carry out the objectives outlined in the charter.
   2. The following are the sources of the association's property and financial resources:

- membership dues, contributions, voluntary property taxes, donations and targeted payments;

-income from association-hosted events;

- income from entrepreneurial activity;

- incomes attained as a result of the services rendered and work completed;

- income received through the execution of educational activities;

- income through the supply of services, the sale of commodities, and the performance of works;

- incomes obtained from renting out buildings, machines, equipment and other property;

- sponsor assistance, other voluntary donations of natural and legal entities;

- grants allocated by various international funds and organizations;

- other sources that are not prohibited by law.

8. TERMINATION OF ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The association is terminated in the following cases:

- when the decision of the General Assembly of the Association is adopted;

- when the association merges with other organizations or institutions;

- if registration of the Association is canceled by court decision in accordance with the Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

- if the number of members of the association is below the limit stipulated by this charter.

1. 2. In the event that the association is terminated, a termination commission is appointed by the General Assembly, or in the absence of a General Assembly, by the Board of Directors or by the order of the Chairman of the Association. After the debts are paid, the remaining property is used for the implementation of the objectives defined in the Association's Charter, and if this is not possible, it is directed to the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
   3. Property disputes connected with association business are resolved via mutual consent; if this is not possible, they are resolved in court.

C H A R T E R

 of the National Association of Town Municipalities of Azerbaijan

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. 1. The National Association of Azerbaijan TownMunicipalities (hereinafter - the Association) is an alliance formed with the goal of better coordinating the activities of the municipalities operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan's town administrative territorial unities, assisting them, and realizing their rights and interests more effectively.
   2. The Association conducts its activities on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, international agreements to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Status of Municipalities", other legislative acts and this Charter.
   3. The association's operations are guided by the values of voluntarism, member equality in rights, the rule of law, collegiality in decision-making, democratic management, and transparency.
   4. The association is a legal entity.
   5. The association has a seal with its name on it, as well as letterheads in a prescribed pattern.
   6. Full official name of the association: National Association of Azerbaijan Town Municipalities.
   7. Abbreviated name of the association: NAATM.
   8. The central office of the association is located at 251A Dilara Aliyeva Street, Baku.

2. OBJECTİVES AND DUTIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The main goal of the association is to coordinate the activities of municipalities, to establish that activity in accordance with international legal norms and existing legislation and to achieve the strengthening and development of local self-government in the Republic of Azerbaijan by helping to solve the emerging problems together.
   2. In order to achieve the goals, the Association performs the following tasks:

- to strive for the adoption of new legislative acts and the improvement of existing legislation for the effective regulation of the activities of municipalities. To develop projects and proposals with the aim of creating a favorable environment for the development of municipalities;

- to carry out events and represent municipalities in international organizations in order to ensure mutually beneficial cooperation with local executive authorities, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and local self-government bodies of foreign countries, their associations and international organizations dealing with local self-government issues;

- to promote the values represented in the European Charter on Local Self-Government and to spread information relating to the municipality's status and operations.

- to carry out educational activities related to the role of municipalities in the socio-economic development of town, in strengthening the social protection of people, in preserving the regional and local ecological balance;

- to assist municipalities in the development and implementation of relevant programs, concepts and measures in order to identify and eliminate existing problems in town;

- to provide methodical and practical assistance to municipalities in the preparation of socio-economic development, ecological and other programs of town and participate in the implementation of those programs;

- to ensure the joint activity of municipalities in the field of health and environmental protection;

- to ensure the joint activities of municipalities related to the preservation of cultural assets in town, and assistance in the development of culture and art;

- to carry out propaganda work to increase the authority of municipalities in the society, expand their field of activity, involve wide segments of the population to participate in these processes;

- to support municipalities in the field of methodical, legal, technological, and informational needs, as well as with the legal establishing of their activities;

- to ensure the exchange of experience between municipalities and to learn and spread advanced practice;

- to provide assistance in organizing and conducting relevant studies, investigations and monitoring in order to ensure the efficient operation of municipalities;

- to assist municipalities in order to establish and develop relations with relevant local self-government bodies operating in foreign countries;

- to establish cooperative relations with international organizations;

- to carry out other tasks arising from the purpose of the association and the needs of the municipalities.

3. THE RIGHTS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The association has the following rights to carry out its duties:

- to raise issues before state bodies and municipalities regarding their goals and objectives, make inquiries, give opinions and suggestions;

- to raise issues before the relevant authorities regarding the protection of the rights of the members and employees of the municipality, to provide legal assistance;

- to freely disseminate information about one's goals, tasks and activities, to establish mass media in accordance with the legislation, to create publishing houses, polygraphy, other enterprises not prohibited by legislation, to publish booklets, books, etc.;

- to organize conferences, symposiums, forums, round tables, trainings, seminars, courses, exhibitions, charity marathons and other events serving the solution of economic, social and environmental problems of cities;

- to conduct scientific researches, researches, monitoring, sociological surveys;

- to establish prizes and scholarships;

- to create different oriented centers, departments, service areas, clubs, groups, commissions, etc.

1. 2. The Association may engage in any additional activity within its authority that is not illegal in order to accomplish its objectives.

4. ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

1. 1. The National Association of Azerbaijan City Municipalities is established at the constituent assembly at the initiative of three or more municipalities.
   2. Each municipality operating in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, accepting the Charter of the Association, paying a membership fee and defined by clause 1.1 of this Charter and the Association of Town Municipalities of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic can be members of the Association. The municipality that wants to become a member of the association must have a decision on this, which was adopted at the municipal meeting. The registration of the members of the association is carried out by the Executive Secretariat and new members are notified to the General Assembly.
   3. The members of the association retain their independence and the status of a legal entity.
   4. The members of the association have the following rights:

- to select a representative to the General Assembly of the Association;

- to participate in the events of the Association;

- to make recommendations and draft decisions to the board of directors for discussion in line with the association's goals and duties, and to take part in such discussions;

- To elect and be elected to the elected bodies of the Association;

- To receive legal and organizational assistance from the association within the framework of the legislation for the protection of one's rights before state bodies in resolving issues provided for by the charter;

- To receive information about the activities of the association's bodies, to apply to these bodies with requests, proposals, applications and complaints;

- To use the services and assistance provided by the association;

- To withdraw from the membership of the association.

1. 5. The members of the association have the following duties:

- To comply with the Association Charter;

- To carry out the decisions of the governing bodies of the Association in accordance with the law and this charter;

- pay membership fees;

- to assist the activities of the association.

1. 6. A member of the Association who does not regularly perform the duties specified by this charter for no reason may be removed from the membership of the Association by the decision of the General Assembly. That decision can be appealed to the court.

5. GOVERNING BODIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The General Assembly, which meets at least once each year, is the supreme governing body of the association.
   2. Following the declaration of the official outcomes of the upcoming municipal elections held in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the General Assembly of the Association is held for a minimum of three months.
   3. An initiative group representing at least one-third of the members of the Association can raise the issue of convening an extraordinary General Assembly of the Association before the board of directors.
   4. The board of directors determines the date, time, agenda, and representation quota for the next or extraordinary general meeting at least two months before the date of the General Assembly.
   5. If the board of directors does not make a decision on convening the General Assembly within the period specified in clauses 5.2 and 5.4 of this charter, that decision is made by the initiative group representing at least one third of the members of the Association. In this case, the decision on convening the General Assembly, its time, agenda and representation quota is made at least one month before the day of the General Assembly. In case of violation of clause 5.2 of this charter, the activity of the Association is considered terminated.
   6. On the board of directors' invitation, representatives of municipalities and other institutions who are not association members may take part in the proceedings of the General Assembly as observers.
   7. The General Assembly is authorized when more than half of the representatives are present.
   8. Decisions regarding the Association's charter, making additions and changes to it, electing and dismissing the Association's governing bodies, and dissolving the Association are adopted by a two-thirds majority, whereas other decisions are adopted by a simple majority.
   9. The powers of the General Assembly are the following:

- approving the agenda of the General Assembly and working bodies;

- establishing and liquidating of the association;

- withdrawal of a member of the association from membership;

- adoption of the charter, amendments and additions to it;

- identification of the main directions of the association's activities;

- election and dismissal of the association's governing bodies - the chairman, vice-chairmen, members of the board of directors and the control-inspection commission;

- listening to the reports of the chairman of the association and the control and inspection commission and making appropriate decisions;

- determining the amount of membership fees for members of the association;

- approval of the association's budget;

- making decisions on the activities of the association.

1. 10. The term of office of the governing bodies of the Association begins with their election at the General Assembly and ends at the General Assembly specified in clause 5.2 of this charter.
   11. If the initiative to dismiss persons elected to the governing bodies of the association before the expiration of their term of office is put forward by at least one third of the members of the Association, this issue may be considered at the General Assembly.
   12. In the event of a legally binding indictment or a decision of the court on the application of compulsory measures of a medical nature against the persons elected to the governing bodies of the association; incapacity or limited capacity of activity determined by the court; leaving the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan; the acceptance of the citizenship of another state or undertakes an obligation to another state; the existence of the opinion of a special medical commission organized by the court about the impossibility of fulfilling duties due to illness for more than four months; die or to be declared dead by a court or considered missing, their activities shall be terminated by the decision of the management board if they are members of the management board, and by the decision of the control-inspection commission if they are members of the control-inspection commission. The powers of the Chairman are passed to one of the deputies until the General Assembly if the terms of this paragraph apply to the Chairman of the Association or in the event of the Chairman's resignation per the Board of Directors' decision.
   13. The Chairman of the Association presides over the General Assembly.
   14. In the period between General Assembly, the governing body of the Association is the board of directors.
   15. Members of the board are elected from among the representatives elected to the General Assembly.
   16. Members of the board of directors fulfill their powers on a public basis.
   17. The General Assembly decides the number of board members. The board of directors meeting is deemed valid if more than half of its members are present, and decisions are made by a simple majority of the board's members. The Association's chairman or one of his deputies presides over meetings of the board of directors.
   18. With the exception of matters pertaining to the sole authority of the General Assembly, the board of directors may consider and decide on any matter pertaining to Association operations.
   19. The Chairman of the Association will call meetings of the Board of Directors when necessary, but at least once every two months.
   20. The chairman of the control-inspection commission can participate in the meetings of the board of directors.
   21. The powers of the board of directors are as follows:

- ensuring the implementation of the association's duties;

- implementation of control over the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly;

- establishing the relevant commissions of the association and monitoring their activities;

- convening the next and extraordinary General Assembly, making decisions about its time, agenda, place and representation quota;

- determination of the order of work of the Executive Secretariat, approval of its structure and number composition, appointment and dismissal of the executive secretary and other responsible employees of the Executive Secretariat according to the presentation of the chairman of the Association;

- creation and liquidation of structural units, branches and representative offices, enterprises, service areas of the association, approval of their structures, number compositions, determination of work rules, control over their activities, appointment and dismissal of managers according to the presentation of the chairman of the Association;

- establishment of mass media, publishing, printing, creation of other enterprises and service areas not prohibited by legislation, release of booklets, books and other publications for the purpose of implementation of the tasks of the association;

- approval of memoranda, agreements, memorandums of understanding, documents on leasing, pledging, selling and taking out loans signed by the chairman of the association;

- approval of the association's first-year operating budget.

1. 22. The association's chairman is chosen from among the elected General Assembly delegates.
   23. The powers of the association's chairman are as follows:

- acting as the association's representative and submitting applications and executing contracts on its behalf;

- acting on behalf of the Association in relation to state bodies, legal entities, individuals;

- signing the board of directors' decisions and processes;

- organizing the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly and the management board;

- coordinating the activities of the relevant commissions of the Association;

- issuing orders and commands that are within their authority;

- approval of the cost estimates for each structural unit of the Association, its branches and representative offices, created businesses, and service regions for the upcoming fiscal year;

- management of the association's financial and economic activity.

1. 24. The association's chairman has the right to bring up calling an extraordinary general meeting of the association before the board of directors.
   25. The chairman of the organization reports to the general meeting and notifies the management board on the association's work.
   26. The vice-chairmen of the association are elected from among the representatives elected to the General Assembly.
   27. The vice-chairmen of the association exercise the powers delegated by the chairman.
   28. The chairman and vice-chairmen of the association are members of the management board.
   29. Control and inspection commission:

- oversees the Association's operations to ensure it complies with the Charter;

- monitors the association's financial and economic activity.

1. 30. The representatives elected to the General Assembly are used to select the members of the control-inspection commission.
   31. The General Assembly decides how many people will be on the control-inspection commission. When more than half of the commission's members are present for a meeting, it is deemed authorized, and decisions are taken by a simple majority of the commission.
   32. The control-inspection commission chooses the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the control-inspection commission from among its members.
   33. The members of the control-inspection commission execute their authority in public and are not permitted to serve as directors or employees of the Executive Secretariat at the same time they are exercising their authority.

6. EXECUTIVE BODY OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The executive secretariat is a permanent executive body established to provide organizational, legal, informational, financial-economical, and other assurances about the activities of the association's chairman and management board. The association's chairman is informed of the executive secretariat's daily activities and outcomes by the executive secretary.
   2. Except for those individuals named in Part 5 of Article 5.21 of the Charter, the Chairman of the Association may appoint and discharge other members of the Executive Secretariat. 

7. ASSOCIATION'S PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

1. 1. The association may own property and funds in accordance with the law. The association's property and financial resources can only be utilized to carry out the objectives outlined in the charter.
   2. The following are the sources of the association's property and financial resources:

- membership dues, contributions, voluntary property taxes, donations and targeted payments;

-income from association-hosted events;

- income from entrepreneurial activity;

- incomes attained as a result of the services rendered and work completed;

- income received through the execution of educational activities;

- income through the supply of services, the sale of commodities, and the performance of works;

- incomes obtained from renting out buildings, machines, equipment and other property;

- sponsor assistance, other voluntary donations of natural and legal entities;

- grants allocated by various international funds and organizations;

- other sources that are not prohibited by law.

8. TERMINATION OF ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The association is terminated in the following cases:

- when the decision of the General Assembly of the Association is adopted;

- when the association merges with other organizations or institutions;

- if registration of the Association is canceled by court decision in accordance with the Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

- if the number of members of the association is below the limit stipulated by this charter.

1. 2. In the event that the association is terminated, a termination commission is appointed by the General Assembly, or in the absence of a General Assembly, by the Board of Directors or by the order of the Chairman of the Association. After the debts are paid, the remaining property is used for the implementation of the objectives defined in the Association's Charter, and if this is not possible, it is directed to the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
   3. Property disputes connected with association business are resolved via mutual consent; if this is not possible, they are resolved in court.

C H A R T E R

 of the National Association of Village Municipalities of Azerbaijan

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. 1. The National Association of Azerbaijan Village Municipalities (hereinafter - the Association) is an alliance formed with the goal of better coordinating the activities of the municipalities operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan's village administrative territorial unities, assisting them, and realizing their rights and interests more effectively.
   2. The Association conducts its activities on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, international agreements to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Status of Municipalities", other legislative acts and this Charter.
   3. The association's operations are guided by the values of voluntarism, member equality in rights, the rule of law, collegiality in decision-making, democratic management, and transparency.
   4. The association is a legal entity.
   5. The association has a seal with its name on it, as well as letterheads in a prescribed pattern.
   6. Full official name of the association: National Association of Azerbaijan Village Municipalities.
   7. Abbreviated name of the association: NAAVM.
   8. The central office of the association is located at 251A Dilara Aliyeva Street, Baku.

2. OBJECTİVES AND DUTIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The main goal of the association is to coordinate the activities of municipalities, to establish that activity in accordance with international legal norms and existing legislation and to achieve the strengthening and development of local self-government in the Republic of Azerbaijan by helping to solve the emerging problems together.
   2. In order to achieve the goals, the Association performs the following tasks:

- to strive for the adoption of new legislative acts and the improvement of existing legislation for the effective regulation of the activities of municipalities. To develop projects and proposals with the aim of creating a favorable environment for the development of municipalities;

- to carry out events and represent municipalities in international organizations in order to ensure mutually beneficial cooperation with local executive authorities, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and local self-government bodies of foreign countries, their associations and international organizations dealing with local self-government issues;

- to promote the values represented in the European Charter on Local Self-Government and to spread information relating to the municipality's status and operations.

- to carry out educational activities related to the role of municipalities in the socio-economic development of village, in strengthening the social protection of people, in preserving the regional and local ecological balance;

- to assist municipalities in the development and implementation of relevant programs, concepts and measures in order to identify and eliminate existing problems in villages;

- to provide methodical and practical assistance to municipalities in the preparation of socio-economic development, ecological and other programs of villages and participate in the implementation of those programs;

- to ensure the joint activity of municipalities in the field of health and environmental protection;

- to ensure the joint activities of municipalities related to the preservation of cultural assets in villages, and assistance in the development of culture and art;

- to carry out propaganda work to increase the authority of municipalities in the society, expand their field of activity, involve wide segments of the population to participate in these processes;

- to support municipalities in the field of methodical, legal, technological, and informational needs, as well as with the legal establishing of their activities;

- to ensure the exchange of experience between municipalities and to learn and spread advanced practice;

- to provide assistance in organizing and conducting relevant studies, investigations and monitoring in order to ensure the efficient operation of municipalities;

- to assist municipalities in order to establish and develop relations with relevant local self-government bodies operating in foreign countries;

- to establish cooperative relations with international organizations;

- to carry out other tasks arising from the purpose of the association and the needs of the municipalities.

3. THE RIGHTS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The association has the following rights to carry out its duties:

- to raise issues before state bodies and municipalities regarding their goals and objectives, make inquiries, give opinions and suggestions;

- to raise issues before the relevant authorities regarding the protection of the rights of the members and employees of the municipality, to provide legal assistance;

- to freely disseminate information about one's goals, tasks and activities, to establish mass media in accordance with the legislation, to create publishing houses, polygraphy, other enterprises not prohibited by legislation, to publish booklets, books, etc.;

- to organize conferences, symposiums, forums, round tables, trainings, seminars, courses, exhibitions, charity marathons and other events serving the solution of economic, social and environmental problems of villages;

- to conduct scientific researches, researches, monitoring, sociological surveys;

- to establish prizes and scholarships;

- to create different oriented centers, departments, service areas, clubs, groups, commissions, etc.

1. 2. The Association may engage in any additional activity within its authority that is not illegal in order to accomplish its objectives.

4. ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

1. 1. The National Association of Azerbaijan Village Municipalities is established at the constituent assembly at the initiative of three or more municipalities.
   2. Each municipality operating in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, accepting the Charter of the Association, paying a membership fee and defined by clause 1.1 of this Charter and the Association of Viilage Municipalities of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic can be members of the Association. The municipality that wants to become a member of the association must have a decision on this, which was adopted at the municipal meeting. The registration of the members of the association is carried out by the Executive Secretariat and new members are notified to the General Assembly.
   3. The members of the association retain their independence and the status of a legal entity.
   4. The members of the association have the following rights:

- to select a representative to the General Assembly of the Association;

- to participate in the events of the Association;

- to make recommendations and draft decisions to the board of directors for discussion in line with the association's goals and duties, and to take part in such discussions;

- To elect and be elected to the elected bodies of the Association;

- To receive legal and organizational assistance from the association within the framework of the legislation for the protection of one's rights before state bodies in resolving issues provided for by the charter;

- To receive information about the activities of the association's bodies, to apply to these bodies with requests, proposals, applications and complaints;

- To use the services and assistance provided by the association;

- To withdraw from the membership of the association.

1. 5. The members of the association have the following duties:

- To comply with the Association Charter;

- To carry out the decisions of the governing bodies of the Association in accordance with the law and this charter;

- pay membership fees;

- to assist the activities of the association.

1. 6. A member of the Association who does not regularly perform the duties specified by this charter for no reason may be removed from the membership of the Association by the decision of the General Assembly. That decision can be appealed to the court.

5. GOVERNING BODIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The General Assembly, which meets at least once each year, is the supreme governing body of the association.
   2. Following the declaration of the official outcomes of the upcoming municipal elections held in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the General Assembly of the Association is held for a minimum of three months.
   3. An initiative group representing at least one-third of the members of the Association can raise the issue of convening an extraordinary General Assembly of the Association before the board of directors.
   4. The board of directors determines the date, time, agenda, and representation quota for the next or extraordinary general meeting at least two months before the date of the General Assembly.
   5. If the board of directors does not make a decision on convening the General Assembly within the period specified in clauses 5.2 and 5.4 of this charter, that decision is made by the initiative group representing at least one third of the members of the Association. In this case, the decision on convening the General Assembly, its time, agenda and representation quota is made at least one month before the day of the General Assembly. In case of violation of clause 5.2 of this charter, the activity of the Association is considered terminated.
   6. On the board of directors' invitation, representatives of municipalities and other institutions who are not association members may take part in the proceedings of the General Assembly as observers.
   7. The General Assembly is authorized when more than half of the representatives are present.
   8. Decisions regarding the Association's charter, making additions and changes to it, electing and dismissing the Association's governing bodies, and dissolving the Association are adopted by a two-thirds majority, whereas other decisions are adopted by a simple majority.
   9. The powers of the General Assembly are the following:

- approving the agenda of the General Assembly and working bodies;

- establishing and liquidating of the association;

- withdrawal of a member of the association from membership;

- adoption of the charter, amendments and additions to it;

- identification of the main directions of the association's activities;

- election and dismissal of the association's governing bodies - the chairman, vice-chairmen, members of the board of directors and the control-inspection commission;

- listening to the reports of the chairman of the association and the control and inspection commission and making appropriate decisions;

- determining the amount of membership fees for members of the association;

- approval of the association's budget;

- making decisions on the activities of the association.

1. 10. The term of office of the governing bodies of the Association begins with their election at the General Assembly and ends at the General Assembly specified in clause 5.2 of this charter.
   11. If the initiative to dismiss persons elected to the governing bodies of the association before the expiration of their term of office is put forward by at least one third of the members of the Association, this issue may be considered at the General Assembly.
   12. In the event of a legally binding indictment or a decision of the court on the application of compulsory measures of a medical nature against the persons elected to the governing bodies of the association; incapacity or limited capacity of activity determined by the court; leaving the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan; the acceptance of the citizenship of another state or undertakes an obligation to another state; the existence of the opinion of a special medical commission organized by the court about the impossibility of fulfilling duties due to illness for more than four months; die or to be declared dead by a court or considered missing, their activities shall be terminated by the decision of the management board if they are members of the management board, and by the decision of the control-inspection commission if they are members of the control-inspection commission. The powers of the Chairman are passed to one of the deputies until the General Assembly if the terms of this paragraph apply to the Chairman of the Association or in the event of the Chairman's resignation per the Board of Directors' decision.
   13. The Chairman of the Association presides over the General Assembly.
   14. In the period between General Assembly, the governing body of the Association is the board of directors.
   15. Members of the board are elected from among the representatives elected to the General Assembly.
   16. Members of the board of directors fulfill their powers on a public basis.
   17. The General Assembly decides the number of board members. The board of directors meeting is deemed valid if more than half of its members are present, and decisions are made by a simple majority of the board's members. The Association's chairman or one of his deputies presides over meetings of the board of directors.
   18. With the exception of matters pertaining to the sole authority of the General Assembly, the board of directors may consider and decide on any matter pertaining to Association operations.
   19. The Chairman of the Association will call meetings of the Board of Directors when necessary, but at least once every two months.
   20. The chairman of the control-inspection commission can participate in the meetings of the board of directors.
   21. The powers of the board of directors are as follows:

- ensuring the implementation of the association's duties;

- implementation of control over the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly;

- establishing the relevant commissions of the association and monitoring their activities;

- convening the next and extraordinary General Assembly, making decisions about its time, agenda, place and representation quota;

- determination of the order of work of the Executive Secretariat, approval of its structure and number composition, appointment and dismissal of the executive secretary and other responsible employees of the Executive Secretariat according to the presentation of the chairman of the Association;

- creation and liquidation of structural units, branches and representative offices, enterprises, service areas of the association, approval of their structures, number compositions, determination of work rules, control over their activities, appointment and dismissal of managers according to the presentation of the chairman of the Association;

- establishment of mass media, publishing, printing, creation of other enterprises and service areas not prohibited by legislation, release of booklets, books and other publications for the purpose of implementation of the tasks of the association;

- approval of memoranda, agreements, memorandums of understanding, documents on leasing, pledging, selling and taking out loans signed by the chairman of the association;

- approval of the association's first-year operating budget.

1. 22. The association's chairman is chosen from among the elected General Assembly delegates.
   23. The powers of the association's chairman are as follows:

- acting as the association's representative and submitting applications and executing contracts on its behalf;

- acting on behalf of the Association in relation to state bodies, legal entities, individuals;

- signing the board of directors' decisions and processes;

- organizing the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly and the management board;

- coordinating the activities of the relevant commissions of the Association;

- issuing orders and commands that are within their authority;

- approval of the cost estimates for each structural unit of the Association, its branches and representative offices, created businesses, and service regions for the upcoming fiscal year;

- management of the association's financial and economic activity.

1. 24. The association's chairman has the right to bring up calling an extraordinary general meeting of the association before the board of directors.
   25. The chairman of the organization reports to the general meeting and notifies the management board on the association's work.
   26. The vice-chairmen of the association are elected from among the representatives elected to the General Assembly.
   27. The vice-chairmen of the association exercise the powers delegated by the chairman.
   28. The chairman and vice-chairmen of the association are members of the management board.
   29. Control and inspection commission:

- oversees the Association's operations to ensure it complies with the Charter;

- monitors the association's financial and economic activity.

1. 30. The representatives elected to the General Assembly are used to select the members of the control-inspection commission.
   31. The General Assembly decides how many people will be on the control-inspection commission. When more than half of the commission's members are present for a meeting, it is deemed authorized, and decisions are taken by a simple majority of the commission.
   32. The control-inspection commission chooses the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the control-inspection commission from among its members.
   33. The members of the control-inspection commission execute their authority in public and are not permitted to serve as directors or employees of the Executive Secretariat at the same time they are exercising their authority.

6. EXECUTIVE BODY OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The executive secretariat is a permanent executive body established to provide organizational, legal, informational, financial-economical, and other assurances about the activities of the association's chairman and management board. The association's chairman is informed of the executive secretariat's daily activities and outcomes by the executive secretary.
   2. Except for those individuals named in Part 5 of Article 5.21 of the Charter, the Chairman of the Association may appoint and discharge other members of the Executive Secretariat. 

7. ASSOCIATION'S PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

1. 1. The association may own property and funds in accordance with the law. The association's property and financial resources can only be utilized to carry out the objectives outlined in the charter.
   2. The following are the sources of the association's property and financial resources:

- membership dues, contributions, voluntary property taxes, donations and targeted payments;

-income from association-hosted events;

- income from entrepreneurial activity;

- incomes attained as a result of the services rendered and work completed;

- income received through the execution of educational activities;

- income through the supply of services, the sale of commodities, and the performance of works;

- incomes obtained from renting out buildings, machines, equipment and other property;

- sponsor assistance, other voluntary donations of natural and legal entities;

- grants allocated by various international funds and organizations;

- other sources that are not prohibited by law.

8. TERMINATION OF ASSOCIATION

1. 1. The association is terminated in the following cases:

- when the decision of the General Assembly of the Association is adopted;

- when the association merges with other organizations or institutions;

- if registration of the Association is canceled by court decision in accordance with the Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

- if the number of members of the association is below the limit stipulated by this charter.

1. 2. In the event that the association is terminated, a termination commission is appointed by the General Assembly, or in the absence of a General Assembly, by the Board of Directors or by the order of the Chairman of the Association. After the debts are paid, the remaining property is used for the implementation of the objectives defined in the Association's Charter, and if this is not possible, it is directed to the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
   3. Property disputes connected with association business are resolved via mutual consent; if this is not possible, they are resolved in court.